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' . « 5 







AMERICAN 



Colonial Tracts 



MONTHLY 



Number Six October 1897 



NOVA BRITANNIA: OFFERING MOST EX- 
CELLENT FRUITS BY PLANTING IN 
VIRGINIA; EXCITING ALL SUCH AS BE 
WELL AFFECTED TO FURTHER THE SAME. 
LONDON: PRINTED FOR SAMUEL MACHAM, 
AND ARE TO BE SOLD AT HIS SHOP IN 
PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD, AT THE SIGN OF 
THE BUL-HEAD, 1609. 



Price 2^ Cents ^3.00 a Year 

Published by 

GEORGE P HUMPHREY 

ROCHESTER 
Foreign Agents GAY & BIRD London England 



COLONIAL TRACTS, issued monthly, is designed to 
offer in convenient form and at a reasonable price 
some of the more valuable pamphlets relating to the early 
history of America which have hitherto been inaccessible to 
the general public, although of so much importance to the 
historical student. Single numbers at 25 cents each, or 
1^3.00 by the year, in advance, may be ordered through 
any bookseller, from the publisher, George P. Humphrey, 
25 Exchange Street, Rochester, N. Y., or Gay & Bird, 22 
Bedford Street, Strand, London, W. C., England, agents for 
Europe and the Colonies. The number for November will 
contain "The New Life of Virginia: Declaring the former 
success and present estate of that plantation, being the second 
part of Nova Britannia. Published by authority of his Majesty's 
Council of Virginia. London : Imprinted by Felix Kyngston, 
for William Welby, dwelling at the sign of the Swan, in Paul's 
Church-yard, 1612." 

Recently Published. 

A GUIDE IN THE WILDERNESS ; or the History of the 
First Settlement in the Western Counties of New York, 
with Useful Instructions to Future Settlers. In a series of 
letters addressed by JUDGE COOPER, of COOPERS-TOWN, to 
William Sampson, Barrister, of New York. Dublin : Printed 
by Gilbert & Hodges, 37 Dame Street; 1810. 

Three hundred copies only of this very rare book have 
been printed, 1897, with an Introduction especially written for 
this new edition by James Fenimore Cooper, of Albany, a 
great-grandson of Judge Cooper. Sent postpaid on receipt of 
the price, $1.25, by the publisher, George P. Humphrey, 
Rochester, N. Y. 

TRAVELS in the Years 1791 and 1792 in Pennsylvania, 
New York, and Vermont. Journals of John Lincklaen, 
agent of the Holland Land Company. With a biographical 
sketch and notes. 

8 vo. ;^2.oo. 

Five hundred copies, only, printed. 



Entered at the Rochester Post-Office as Second Class Matter. 



Nova Britannia 



OFFERING MOST 



EXCELLENT FRUITS BY PLANTING 



IN 



VIRGINIA 

Exciting all Such as be well Affected to 
Further the Same. 



LONDON: 

Printed for SAMUEL MACHAM, and are to be sold at his shop 
in Paul's Churchyard, at the Sign of the Bul-head. 
1609. 



■1/^'^ 
'5^^ 



V 



TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR THOMAS SMITH OF LONDON, 
KNIGHT OF ONE OF HIS MAJESTY'S COUNCIL OF VIRGI- 
NIA, AND TREASURER FOR THE COLONY AND GOVERNOR 
OF THE COMPANIES OF THE MUSCOVIA AND EAST INDIA 
MERCHANTS, PEACE, HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS IN CHRIST. 

Right Worshipful Sir: 

■pORASMUCH as I have always observed your honest zeal 
^ to God, accompanied with so excellent carriage and res- 
olution in actions of best consequence, I cannot but discover 
unto you for your further encouragement, the sum of a private 
speech or discourse, touching our plantation in Virginia, uttered 
not long since in London, where some few adventurers (well 
affecting the enterprise) being met together touching their 
intended project, one among the rest stood up and began to 
relate, in effect, as follows : 

R. 1. 



NO 6 OCTOBER 1897 

COLONIAL TRACTS 

Published by GEORGE P HUMPHREY 

ROCHESTER N Y 



vot... COLONIAL TRACTSno.6- 



NOVA BRITANNIA. 

OFFERING MOST EXCELLENT FRUITS BY 

PLANTING IN VIRGINIA 



All/HEREAS, in our last meeting and conference the other 
day, observing your sufficient reasons, answering all 
objections, and your constant resolution to go on in our planta- 
tion, they gave me so good content and satisfaction that I am 
driven against myself to confess my own error in standing 
out so long, whereby many of you, my friends, were engaged 
in the business before me, at whose often instigations I was but 
little moved, and lightly esteemed of it till being in place, 
where observing the wise and prudent speech of a worthy 
gentleman, well known to you all, a most painful manager of 
such public affairs within this city, which moved so effectually, 
touching the public utility of this noble enterprise, that with- 
holding no longer, I yielded my money and endeavors as others 
did to advance the same, and now, upon more advised consid- 
eration, I must needs say I never accounted my poor means 
employed to better purpose ; then by God's help the success 
of this may be, and therefore I cannot but deliver (if you please 
to hear), what 1 rudely conceive of a sudden. 

There are divers monuments already published in print to 
the world, manifesting and showing that the coast and parts 
of Virginia have been long since discovered, peopled, and pos- 
sessed by many English, both men, women, and children, the 
natural subjects of our late Queen Elizabeth, of famous 
memory, conducted and left there at sundry times. And that 
the same footing and possession is there kept and possessed by 
the same English, or by their seed and offspring, without any 
interruption or invasion, either of the savages, the natives of 
the country, or of any other prince or people, for ought we 
hear or know to this day, which argues sufficiently to us, and 
it is true, that over those English and Indian people no christian 
king or prince other than James, our soverign lord and king, 



ought to have rule or dominion, or can by possession, conquest, 
or inheritance, truly claim or make just titles to those territo- 
ries, or to any part thereof, except it be, as we hear of late, 
that a challenge is laid to all, by virtue of a donation from 
Alexander, the first Pope of Rome, wherein, they say, is given 
all the West Indies, including Florida and Virginia, with all 
America, and whatsoever islands adjacent. 

But what is this to us ? they are blind indeed that stumble 
here ; it is much like that great donation of Constantine where- 
by the Pope himself does hold and claim the City of Rome, 
and all the Western Empire, a thing that so crosseth all histo- 
ries of truth, and sound antiquity, that by the apt resemblance 
of those two donations — the whole West Empire from a tem- 
porary prince to the Pope, and the whole West Indies from the 
Pope to a temporary prince. 1 do verily guess they be near of 
kin, they are so like each other; the one an old tale, vain and 
fabulous, the other a new toy most idle and ridiculous. 

When the flatterers of Cambises, King of Persia, could 
find no law to warrant his immoderate lust and incestuous 
marriage with his own daughter, yet they told him of another 
law which they had found, whereby the kings of Persia might 
do what they listed ; if in these cases likewise there be a law 
that the Pope may do what he list, let them that list obey him, 
for we believe not in him. 

Letting go, therefore, these legendary fables, which, how- 
soever, some men hold authentic as their creed, yet are they in 
the judgment of wise men, things of no value, nor do import to 
us any cause of doubt or fear, but that we go on in our honest 
enterprise and lawful purpose now in hand, that, as we hope, 
his majesty mindeth not the relinquishing his estate and interest, 
derived to him by right of succession from his immediate pre- 
decessor, but for the further planting and succoring our old 
colony hath given us leave to make new supplies, which we 
lately sent thither under the conduct of Christopher Newport, 
captain ; "and hath granted many gracious privileges, under 
the great seal, to us and to our heirs forever, that will adven- 
ture or plant in the said plantation. So 1 wish and entreat all 
well affected subjects, some in their persons, others in their 
purses, cheerfully to adventure, and jointly to take in hand 
this high and acceptable work, tending to advance and spread 



the kingdom of God, and the knowledge of the truth among so 
many millions of men and women, savage and blind, that never 
yet saw the true light shine before their eyes, to enlighten 
their minds and comfort their souls, as also for the honor of our 
king, and enlarging of his kingdom, and for preservation and 
defence of that small number our friends and countrymen 
already planted, least for want of more supplies we become a 
scorn to the world, subjecting our former adventures to apparent 
spoil and hazard, and our people, as we pray, to be sacked and 
pulled out of possession, as were the French out of Nova 
Francia not many years ago, and which is the least and last 
respect, yet usually preferred, for the singular good and bene- 
fit that will undoubtedly arise to this whole nation, and to 
every one of us in particular that will adventure therein, as 
by true relation, God willing, I shall make it manifestly appear 
to all. 

It is known to the world, and cannot be forgotten, that the 
days and reign of Queen Elizabeth brought forth the highest 
degree of wealth, happiness and honor that ever England had 
before her time, whereof to let pass the particular praises as 
impertinent to my purpose, 1 do only call to mind our royal 
fleets and merchant ships (the jewels of our land) ; our ex- 
cellent navigators and admirable voyages, as into all parts 
and round about the globe with good success ; to the high fame 
and glory of our nation, so especially their aim and course was 
most directed to the new found world ; to the mainland and 
infinite islands of the West Indies ; intending to discover with 
what convenience to plant and settle English colonies in places 
not already possessed and inhabited by subjects of other 
christian princes, wherein after many tedious and perilous ad- 
ventures, howsoever strange seas and miserable famine had 
devoured and distressed ships and men of inestimable value, 
yet were not the remnant escaping, swallowed up of despair, 
nor their heart and spirits daunted with fear; but daily armed 
afresh with invincible courage and greater resolution, scorning 
to sit down by their losses, made new attempts, not enduring 
to look on while so huge and spacious countries, the fourth 
part of the world, and the greatest and wealthiest part of all 
the rest, should remain a wilderness, subject, for the most 
part, but to wild beasts and fowls of the air, and to savage 



people which have no christian nor civil use of anything; and 
that the subjects only of one Prince Christian, which but 
within the memory of man began first to creep upon the face 
of those territories, and now by means of their remnants set- 
tled here and there, do therefore imagine the world to be 
theirs, shouldering out all other nations, accounting themselves 
kings and commanders, not only in towns and places where 
they have planted, but over all other parts of America which 
contain sundry vast and barbarous regions, many of which, to 
this day, they never knew, nor did ever settle foot therein ; 
which, notwithstanding, if it were yielded to them as due, yet 
their strength and means far inferior to their aspires, will 
never stretch to compass or replenish the hundredth part 
thereof. And this we proved true not many years ago, our 
prince and theirs being then at open hostilities, their best and 
chiefest residences were scattered with so poor and slender 
troops that with handfuls of men, at sundry times, we ran 
through all, surprising and sacking their strongest forts and 
towns in those parts, and might long since with ease, following 
and seconding our forces, have set them to their stint. 

But seeing we so passed by their dwellings, that in seating 
ourselves we sought not to unsettle them, but by God's mercy, 
after many storms, were brought to the coast of another 
country far distant and remote from their habitations ; why 
should any frown or envy at it, or if they do, why should we, 
neglecting so fair an opportunity, faint or fear to enlarge our- 
selves. Where is our force and ancient vigor ? Does our late 
reputation sleep in the dust ? No, no, let not the world de- 
ceive itself ! We still remain the same, and upon just occasion 
given, we shall quickly show it, too, having now by God's 
blessing more means than ever heretofore, being strongly fenced 
where we wonted to lie open. Our plant, we trust, is firmly 
rooted, our arms and limbs are strong, our branches fair and 
much desire to spread themselves abroad. 

But before I come to describe this earthly paradise, or to 
prove the points of my proposition mentioned before, you shall 
know that the first discovery and actual possession taken 
thereof was in the reign and by the subjects of Henry the 
Seventh of England, at which time did Spain also discover, 
and by that right of discovery doth retain and hold their Nova 



Hispania and all other their limits upon that coast. But that we 
now intend to ground upon is a more late discovery and actual 
possession, taken in the name and right of Queen Elizabeth, 
in Anno 1584, the 13th of July, as it is truly set down in the 
Book of English Voyages by sundry English captains and 
gentlemen in that voyage, whose names are recorded in that 
discourse (and many of whom are yet living), whereof when 
her majesty had true information she named the country Vir- 
ginia, and did assign to Walter Raleigh, then a gentlemen of 
worth, power, and authority, to plant forces and colonies there 
at his pleasure, who transported thither in Anno 1587, by the 
conduct of John White, chief leader, above an hundred men, 
women, and children at one time, and left them there to inhabit 
to this day. Notwithstanding, it is true indeed, as some may 
object. It is now above twenty years ago since these things 
were done, and yet ever since in all this time, we never saw 
or heard of any good that hath come from thence, nor of any 
hope that might encourage us anew to engage ourselves 
therein. 

But let us rightly weigh the reasons of it and then judge. 
Those hundred and upward conducted thither by John White 
and whose particular names you may see recorded in the same 
Book of Voyages, were left there with intent and promise to 
be supplied from England with more companies and all neces- 
saries the next year following ; in the meantime they were to 
plant and fortify themselves in best manner they could, and to 
make a discovery of such minerals and other merchandise as 
the country should yield by nature. But as all good actions 
have their crosses and their bane attending on them, so had 
this ; for that those which had the managing of a new supply 
being the next year sufficiently furnished to sea for that end, 
yet most unnaturally being tainted with that common corrup- 
tion of time, turned their heads another way, and with greedy 
minds betook themselves wholly to hunt after pillage upon the 
Spanish coast, where spending their men, their time and pro- 
visions, they were not able (being come and arrived at the 
port) to make up into the land to visit and relieve their friends, 
but were forced to retire for England again, whereby the edge 
of those adventurers that set them forth was so abated that 
this most honorable enterprise, so happily begun, was by this 



last occasion most unhappily ended ; neither had our poor 
countrymen left there any means from thence to visit us, nor 
in all this time to give us any light of their own estate ; 
whereas then, if those beginnings had been followed as they 
ought, and as by God's help we now intend, that country had 
long since become a most royal addition to the crown of Eng- 
land, and a very nursery and fountain of much wealth and 
strength to this kingdom. 

When Christopher Columbus, the first bewrayer of this 
new world, was to make his proffer where he liked best, he 
chose Henry the Seventh of England, as in those days the 
most worthy and best furnished for navigations of all the kings 
in Christendom, offering to invest his majesty with the most 
precious and richest vines of the whole earth, never known 
before, as he did also the like to the kings of Portugal and 
Spain, who, as the story saith, for his poor apparel and simple 
looks, and for the novelty of his proposition, was of most men 
accounted a vain fool and utterly rejected, save that the Span- 
ish better conceiving than some others, began to entertain and 
make use of his skill, which within these hundred years hath 
brought forth those apparent fruits to the world as cannot be 
hid. Their territories enlarged, their navigations increased, 
their subjects enriched and their superfluity of coin over- 
spreading all parts of the world, procures their crown to flour- 
ish and highly commendeth the wisdom of Spain, whose quick 
apprehension and speedy address prevented all other princes : 
albeit, as you know, their greatness of mind arising together 
with their money and means, hath turmoiled all Christendom 
these forty years and more. 

And this 1 but mention to note tlie blind diffidence of our 
English natures, which laugh to scorn the name of Virginia, 
and all other new projects, be they never so probable, and 
will not believe till we see the effects ; as also to show how 
capable men ought to be in things of great importance, ad- 
visedly to take the first occasions. We read of Hannibal when 
chasing home the Romans to the gates of Rome, and neglect- 
ing then to scale the walls, could never after, with all his 
strength and policies, come near the like advantage ; yet I 
must briefly tell you now, what 1 conceive with joy, that how- 
soever the business of this plantation hath been formerly mis- 



carried, yet it is now going on in better way, not enterprised 
by one or two private subjects, who, in their greatness of 
mind, sought to compass that which rather beseemed a mighty 
prince such as ours, or the whole state to take in hand ; for it 
is not unknown to you all how many noble men of honorable 
minds, how many worthy knights, merchants and others of the 
best disposition, are now joined together in one charter, to re- 
ceive equal privileges, according to their several adventures ; 
every man engaging his purse, and some noblemen, knights, 
and gentlemen intending to go in their own persons, which I 
did hear to protest and vow against any people whomsoever 
shall anyway seek to entrap or impeach our proceedings, an 
utter revenge upon their bodies or goods if they be to be found 
upon sea or land, whereby we have assured hope (God as- 
sisting us), to be effectually able to make good against all, and 
in short time to bring to a most happy event the thing we take 
in hand. 

And now in describing the natural seat and disposition of 
the country itself, if 1 should say no more but with Caleb 
and Joshua: "The land which we have searched out is a 
very good land. If the Lord love us he will bring our people 
to it and will give it us for a possession," this were enough 
to you that are willing, but yet a little more in particular ob- 
served by the best maps and printed discourses, and by con- 
ference of such as have been lately there and seen it, I think 
good to deliver to satisfy others : First, the voyage is not long 
or tedious ; six weeks at ease will send us thither, whereas 
six months suffice not to some other places where we trade. 
Our course and passage is through the great ocean, where is 
no fear of rocks or flats, nor subject to the straights and re- 
straint of foreign princes ; most winds that blow are apt and 
fit for us, and none can hinder us. When we come to the 
coast there is continual depth enough, with good bottom for 
anchor hold, and the land is fair to fall withal, full of excellent 
good harbors ; the world affords no better for ships of all bur- 
dens, many pleasant islands, great and small, affronting the 
coast. Two goodly rivers are discovered winding far into the 
main, the one in the north part of the land by our western 
colony, knights and gentlemen of Excester, Plymouth and 
others. The other in the south part thereof by our colony of 



10 

London. Upon which river, being both broad, deep and pleas- 
ant, abounding with store of fish, our colony have begun to 
fortify themselves, and have built a town and named it, in 
honor of our king, Jamestown, four-score miles within land, 
upon the north side of the river, as is London upon the river 
of Thames, from whence we have discovered the same river 
one hundred miles further into the mainland, in the searching 
whereof they were so ravished with the admirable sweetness 
of the stream, and with the pleasant land trending along on 
either side, that their joy exceeded and with great admiration 
they praised God. 

The country itself is large and great assuredly, though as 
yet, no exact discovery can be made of all. It is also com- 
mendable and hopeful every way ; the air and climate most 
sweet and wholesome, much warmer than England and very 
agreeable to our natures. It is inhabited with wild and savage 
people, that live and lay up and down in troups like heards of 
deer in a forest. They have no law but nature ; their apparel, 
skins of beasts, but most go naked. The better sort have 
houses, but poor ones. They have no arts nor science, yet they 
live under superior command, such as it is ; they are generally 
very loving and gentle, and do entertain and relieve our 
people with great kindness. They are easy to be brought to 
good, and would fain embrace a better condition. The land 
yieldeth naturally for the sustenance of man, abundance of fish, 
both scale and shell ; of land and water fowls, infinite store ; 
of deer, kain, and fallow, stags, coneys, and hares, with many 
fruits and roots good for meat. 

There are valleys and plains streaming with sweet springs, 
like veins in a natural body ; there are hills and mountains 
making a sensible proffer of hidden treasure, never yet 
searched. The land is full of minerals, plenty of woods (the 
wants of England) ; there are growing goodly oak and elms, 
beech and birch, spruce, walnut, cedar, and fir trees in great 
abundance ; the soil is strong and lusty of its own nature, and 
sendeth out naturally fruitful vines running upon trees and 
shrubs. It yields also resin, turpentine, pitch, and tar, sas- 
afras, mulberry trees, and silkworms ; many skins and rich 
furs, many sweet woods and dye woods, and other costly dyes; 
plenty of sturgeon, timber for shipping, mast, plank, and deal. 



11 

soap ashes, caviare, and what else we know not yet, because 
our days are young. But of this that 1 have said, if bare 
nature be so amiable in its naked kind, what may we hope 
when art and nature both shall join and strive together to give 
best content to man and beast ? As now in handling the 
several parts propounded, I shall show in order as they lie. 

For the first (if 1 forget not myself), how it may tend to 
advance the kingdom of God by reducing savage people from 
their blind superstition to the light of religion, when some 
object, we seek nothing less than the cause of God, being led 
on by our own private ends ; and secondly how we can war- 
rant a supplantation of those Indians, or an invasion into their 
right and possessions. 

To the first we say, as many actions both good in them- 
selves and in their success, have been performed with bad 
intents, so in this case, howsoever our naughtiness of mind 
may sway very much, yet God may have the honor, and his 
kingdom advanced in the action done. But yet, by the way, 
methinks this objection comes in due time, and doth well 
admonish us how to rectify our hearts and ground our medita- 
tions before we begin. We do generally applauad and highly 
commend the goodness of the cause, and that it is such a profit- 
able plough as every honest man ought to set his hand unto, 
both in respect of God and the public good. This is our general 
voice, and we say truth, for so it is. 

But we must beware that under this pretence that bitter 
root of greedy gain be not so settled in our hearts, that being in 
a golden dream, if it fall not out presently to our expectation, 
we slink away with discontent and draw our purses from the 
charge. If any show this affection, I would wish his baseness 
of mind to be noted. What must be our direction then — no 
more but this : If thou to once approve the work, lay thy hand 
to it cheerfully, and withdraw it not till thy task be done at all 
assayes and new supplies of money be not lag, nor like a dull 
horse that 's always in the lash, for here lies the poison of all 
good attempts, when as men without hauling and pulling, will 
not be drawn to performance, for by this others are discourag- 
ed, the action lies undone and the first expense is lost. But 
are we to look for no gain in the lieu of all adventures ? Yes, 
undoubtedly there is assured hope of gain, as I will show anon 



12 

in due place, but look it be not chief in your thoughts, God 
that hath said by Solomon : " Cast thy bread upon the waters 
* and after many days thou shalt find it;" he will give the 
blessing. And as for supplanting the savages, we have no 
such intent. Our intrusion into their possessions shall tend to 
their great good, and no way to their hurt, unless as unbridled 
beasts, they procure it to themselves. We purpose to pro- 
claim and make it known to them all by some public interpreta- 
tion, that our coming thither is to plant ourselves in their 
country, yet not to supplant and root them out, but to bring 
them from their base condition to a far better. First, in regard to 
God the Creator, and of Jesus Christ their Redeemer, if they 
will believe in him. And secondly, in respect of earthly bless- 
ings, whereof they have now no comfortable use, but in beastly, 
brutish manner, with promise to defend them against all 
public and private enemies. We can remember since Don Jon 
Daquila with his forces invading Ireland, a noble, civil king- 
dom where all except a few runagates were settled in the 
truth of religion, and lived by wholesome laws, under the 
mild government of christian kings and princes, long before 
his grandsier's cradle. Yet he thought it no robbery to pro- 
claim and publish to the world that his coming thither was to 
none other end but to free their nation from their bondage and 
tyranous subjection, and to bring the blind souls to Catholic 
religion — a plausible pretence, the least end of his thought. 

But if this were coined in these days by the printers 
themselves, to pass for current through the world, howsoever 
base it was indeed, we hope they will be as favorable to our 
case, and give as free passage and allowance to our invasion, 
much more current and so far different as not to bring a 
people (according to our proverb) out of the frying pan into 
the fire, but to make their condition truly more happy by a 
mutual interchange and commerce in this sort. That as to our 
great expense and charge, we make adventures to impart our 
divine riches, to their inestimable gain, and to cover their 
naked misery with civil use of food and clothing, and to train 
them by gentle means to those manual arts and skill which 
they so much affect and do admire to see in us. So in lieu of 
this we require nothing at their hands but a quiet residence to 
us and ours, that by our own labor and toil we may work this 



13 

good unto them and recompence our own adventures, costs, 
and travels in the end. Wherein they shall be most friendly 
welcome to conjoin their labors with ours, and shall enjoy 
equal privileges with us in whatsoever good success time or 
means may bring to pass. To which purpose we may verily 
believe that God has reserved in this last age of the world an 
infinite number of those lost and scattered sheep, to be won 
and recovered by our means, of whom so many as obstinately 
refused to unite themselves unto us, or shall maligne or disturb 
our plantation, our chattel, or whatsover belonging to us, they 
shall be held and reputed, recusant, withstanding their own 
good, and shall be dealt with as enemies of the commonwealth 
of their country, whereby how much good we shall perform to 
those that be good, and how little injury to any, will easily 
appear by comparing our present happiness with our former 
ancient miseries, wherein we had continued brutish, poor, and 
naked Britains to this day if Julius C^sar, with his Roman 
legions (or some other) had not laid the ground to make us 
tame and civil. 

But for my second point propounded (the honor of our king 
by enlarging his kingdom) to prove how this may tend to that, 
no argument of mine can make it so manifest, as the same is 
clear in itself. Divine testimony shows that the honor of a 
king consists in the multitude of subjects, and certainly the 
Jews were far more glorious by the conquests of David, and 
under the ample reign of Solomon, than ever before or after. 
The twelve tribes were then all subject ; the bordering nations 
tributary, no doubt a happy subjection to many of them, 
whereby they had the better means to believe and know God 
the creator of heaven and earth. Honorable, I grant, is just 
conquest by sword, and Hercules is fained to have had all his 
felicity in subduing and rooting out the tyrants of the world ; 
but unfeignedly it is most honorable indeed to subdue the 
tyrany of the roaring lion that devours those poor souls in their 
ignorance and leads them to hell for want of light when our 
dominions shall be enlarged and the subjects multiplied of a 
people so bought and ransomed, not by storms of raging 
cruelties (as West India was converted) with rapier's point and 
musket shot, murdering so many millions of naked Indians, as 
their stories do relate, but by fair and loving means suiting to 



14 

our English natures, like that soft and gentle voice wherein 
the Lord appeared to Elias, How honorable will this be in the 
sight of men, and of ages to come ? But much more glorious 
in the sight of God, when our King shall come to make his 
triumph in heaven. The prophet Daniel doth assure that for 
this conquest of turning many unto righteousness he shall shine 
as the stars for ever and ever. 

And yet this is not all that may be said : the ancient law, 
the law of Moses, sets it down as a blessed thing when the 
prince and people of God shall be able to lend to all, and need 
to borrow of none ; and it added very much to the fame and 
wisdom of King Solomon, which the world came far and near 
to wonder at, in that his kingdoms were replenished with gold 
and silver in abundance, and with riches brought in by ships 
sent yearly forth in ample trade of merchandise, whereof we 
read not the like among all the kings of Israel. And upon 
good warrant I speak it here in private, what by these new 
discoveries into the western parts, and our hopeful settling in 
chiefest places of the East, with our former known trades in 
other parts of the world, I do not doubt, by the help of God, 
but 1 may live to see the days, if merchants have their due 
encouragement, that the wisdom, majesty, and honor of our 
king shall be spread and enlarged to the ends of the world, our 
navigations mightily increased, and his majesty's customs 
more than trebled. 

And as for the third part — the relieving of our men already 
planted, to preserve both them and our former adventures, 1 
shall not need to say much ; the necessity is so apparent that 
I hope no adventurer will be wanting therein. 

Our Saviour, Christ, resembles them that give over in their 
best duties, to foolish builders that, having laid the foundation, 
do grovel themselves in the middle way, and so become 
ridiculous. It had been extreme madness in the Jews, when, 
having sent to spy the land that flowed with milk and honey, 
and ten for two returned back with tidings of impossibility to 
enter and prevail, if then they had retired and lost the land of 
promise. No doubt the devil that envied then that enterprise 
doth now the like in ours, and we must make account, and look 
to be encountered with many discouragements, partly by our 
friends and neighbors, such as (we use to say) will neither go 



15 

to church nor tarry at home, as also (which is no new thing) 
even by such as have been sent to spy the land, one while 
objecting the charge will be great, the business long, and the 
gains nothing, and, besides, the Anakim that dwell in the 
mountains will come and pull us out by the ears, with such 
like fooleries, I know not what. 

But we must be prepared, with Caleb and Joshua, so 
highly commended, to oppose an extraordinary zeal against the 
detractings of such, to rescue our enterprise from malicious 
ignorance, and to still their murmurings with reproofs, for 
though, in ordinary and common occasions, it be our duty to 
be carried with ordinary patience, meekness, and humility, yet 
to show an excellent spirit when the cause is worth it, and in 
such a case as this requiring passing resolution. It is but our 
weakness to stumble at straws, and a baseness to gnaw upon 
every bone that is cast in our way, which we may observe by 
those noble dogs of Albania, presented to King Alexander, 
whose natures contemned to encounter or prey upon seely 
beasts of no valor, but with an overflowing courage flying upon 
the lion and the tiger, did then declare their virtue. 

And now it follows, how it can be good for this common- 
wealth, which is likewise most apparent many ways. First, 
if we consider what strength of shipping may be raised and 
maintained thence, in furnishing our own wants of sundry 
kinds, and the wants of other nations too, in such needful 
things arising thence which can hardly now be obtained from 
any other part of the world, as plank and timber for shipping, 
with deal and wainscot, pipestaves, and clapboard, with store 
of soap ashes, whereof there grow the best woods to make 
them in great abundance, all which we may there have, the 
wood for the cutting, and the ashes for the burning, which, 
though they be gross commodities, yet no merchandise is 
better requested nor will sooner yield gold or silver in any of 
our bordering nations. England and Holland alone spend in 
these about three hundred thousand pounds sterling every 
year. We may transport hither or unto Hamburg, Holland, 
or other places, fifty per centum better cheap, than from 
Prussia or Polonia, from whence they are only now to be had, 
where also the woods are so spent and wasted, that from the 
place where the wood is cut and the ashes burnt, they are 



brought by land at least two hundred miles to ship. And 
from thence we may have iron and copper also in great 
quantity, about which the expense and waste of wood, as 
also for building of ships, will be no hurt, but great service to 
that country ; the great superfluity whereof, the continual 
cutting down, in many hundred years, will not be able to 
overcome, whereby will likewise grow a greater benefit to this 
land, in preserving our woods and timber at home, so infinitely 
and without measure upon these occasions cut down and 
fallen to such a sickness and wasting consumption, as all the 
physic in England cannot cure. 

We doubt not but to make there in few years store of good 
wines as any from the Canaries, by replanting and making 
tame the vines that naturally grow there in great abundance ; 
only send men of skill to do it, and coopers to make casks, 
and hoops for that and all other uses, for which there is wood 
enough at hand. 

There are silkworms and plenty of mulberry trees, whereby 
ladies, gentlewomen, and little children, being set in the way 
to do it, may be all employed with pleasure in making silk 
comparable to that of Persia, Turkey, or any other. We may 
bring from thence sturgeon, caviare, and new land fish of the 
best. There grows hemp for cordage, an excellent commodity, 
and flax for linen cloth, which, being sewn and well manured, 
in such a climate and fertile soil, will make great benefit and 
will put down that of other countries. 

And for the making of pitch, tar, turpentine, soap ashes, 
deal, wainscot, and such like, we have already provided and 
sent thither skilled workmen from foreign parts, which may 
teach and set ours in the way, whereby we may set many 
thousands at work in these such like services. 

For, as I told you before, there must be art and industry 
with our helps and means extended, with a little patience to 
bring these things to pass, we must not look to reap with joy 
except we sow in tears. The abundance of King Solomon's 
gold and silver did not rain from heaven upon the heads of his 
subjects, but heavenly providence blessed his navigations and 
public affairs, the chief means of their wealth. 

Experience has lately taught us by some of our neighbor 
provinces, how exceedingly it mounts the state of a common- 



17 

wealth to put forth navigation, if it were possible, into all 
parts and corners of the world, to furnish our own wants, and 
also to supply, from one kingdom to another, such several 
needful things as for want of shipping and other means they 
cannot furnish of themselves ; for this will raise experience and 
men of skill, as also strength at sea and land, with honor, 
wealth, and riches returning still to the heads and fountains 
from whence their first occasions grew. 

We may but look a little back and we shall see what a 
novice our nation was within these six-score years in case of 
foreign trade, not knowing whence to fetch nor which way to 
transport, but only to some mart or staple town within two 
days' sailing, and that was counted so great a matter then that 
therefore they were called merchant adventurers ; and the 
great hulks of Italy, which in those days brought spices, 
currants, and such like, and landed at Southampton (the store- 
house then for merchandise) are chronicled for wonders in our 
English stories, for indeed we knew no better then, but were 
content, as babes, with easterlings on the one hand and Lom- 
bards on the other, which were continual liegers in London, 
and fed us as they listed. 

And take this ever as a rule, that domestic merchandising 
brings forth but poor effects in a commonwealth, whereof I 
needed not have showed example further than our own doors. 

What was the case of England before the golden days of 
Queen Elizabeth, at whose coming to the crown the state of 
merchants was so poor and mean that renting out her customs 
in wards, but at a very low rate, yet it brought the farmer 
upon his knees. 

A man that marks the difference, and shall compare those 
times and these together, shall think it were impossible, unless 
his knowledge taught him otherwise, that the days and reign 
of one Elizabeth, whose hand was ever lending to distressed 
neighbor princes, and her sword unsheathed continually, repuls- 
ing foreign enemies, yet should relieve and raise the state of 
her customs, the strength of her navy, and the condition of 
her people, every way seven-fold to that they were before, 
only by encouraging the royal trade of merchandise as we see 
it this day apparent. Let God have the honor, and blessed be 
her memory, and the memorial of those managers of state in 



18 

her days for their worthy counsels, many of which, though 
they now sleep and rest with their sovereign in peace, yet 
some do still remain and do succeed in place, where long may 
they stand and their seed after them, like the pillars and 
worthies of King David, to shield the head and honor of our 
Solomon, and still to uphold and enlarge our happiness forever ; 
and this I am driven to speak and mention by the way, where 
I meant it not in regard of some which upon a disaster begin 
to wax weary of all, discouraging themselves and others from 
this and all other foreign adventures, to let them know that 
each thing hath increase from whence it had beginning, and to 
put ourselves in mind that we fail not in furthering those 
causes that bring forth such effects. 

Another instance might be shown in one particular, which 
taxeth very much our English nation and all the subjects of 
our sovereign king, that, enjoying such plenty of woodlands 
and fruitful soils within England, Scotland, Ireland, and 
Wales, yet our want of industry is such that Netherlanders, 
which have not a stick of wood growing, nor any land for 
sowing, should surpass and go beyond us in continual plenty 
of corn and shipping. Methinks the reformation hereof should 
find more favor at our hands, that in such points of civil 
policy, no people of lesser means should cast us so behind, and 
each well-minded man should lend his help to heal and cure 
such stains and scars in the face of our state, as being viewed 
and weighed well, may very well make us blush. 

And now to our present business in hand, which so many 
stumble at : in regard of the continual charge, 1 would have 
them know that it cannot be great nor long, as the business 
may be handled. Two things are especially required herein: 
people to make the plantation, and money to furnish our 
present provisions and shippings now in hand. For the first 
we need not doubt, our land abounding with swarms of idle 
persons, which having no means of labor to relieve their 
misery, do likewise swarm in lewd and naughty practices, so 
that if we seek not some ways for their foreign employment, 
we must provide shortly more prisons and corrections for their 
bad conditions, for it fares with populous common weals, as 
with plants and trees that be too frolic, which not able to sus- 
tain and feed their multitude of branches, do admit an engraft- 



19 

ing of their buds and scions into some other soil, accounting it 
a benefit for preservation of their kind, and a disburdening 
their stocI< of those superfluous twigs that suck away their 
nourishment. And we shall find that hence it was, the Goths 
and Vandals with other barbarous nations, seeing an overflow- 
ing of their multitudes at home, did therefore send their armies 
out as raging floods, at sundry times, to cover the faces of 
Spain, Italy, and other provinces, to free their own from pes- 
tering, so that you see it no new thing, but most profitable for 
our state, to rid our multitudes of such as lie at home, pestering 
the land with pestilence and penury, and infecting one another 
with vice and villainy worse than the plague itself ; whose 
very miseries drive many of them, by means to be cut off, as 
bad and wicked members, or else both them and theirs to be 
relieved at the common charge of others. 

Yet I do not mean that none but such unsound members 
and such poor as want their bread, are fittest for this employ- 
ment ; for we intend to have of every trade and profession, 
both honest, wise, and painful men, whereof our land and 
city is able to spare, and furnish many, as we had experience 
in our last sending thither, which will be glad to go and plant 
themselves so happily, and their children after them, to hold 
and keep conformity with the laws, language, and religion of 
England forever. 

Touching which, I do earnestly admonish you to beware and 
shun three kinds of people : The first, a most vile minded 
sort, and for the most part bad members of this city, by some 
means shaken out of their honest courses, and now shifting by 
their wits, will be always devising some unhappiness to wrong 
the plantation ; such as daily beat their brains, and seek by 
lying suggestions, under color of good pretence to the common- 
wealth to infringe our ancient liberties, and would, if they 
were not met withal and curbed by authority, make a monoply 
to themselves of each thing after other, belonging to the 
freedom of every man's profession, the very wrack of 
merchandising. 

The second sort are papists, professed or recusant of which 
I would not one, seasoned with the least taint of that leaven, to 
be settled in our plantation, nor in any part of that country, 
but if once perceived, such a one, weed him out, and ship him 



20 

home for England, for they will ever be plotting and conspiring 
to root you out if they can ; howsoever they swear, flatter, 
and equivocate, believe them not. Keep only these two 
examples in mind. 

Watson, the seminary priest, in his printed " Quodlibets," 
he of all other men protesteth the greatest truth and fidelity to 
his prince and country, objecting all the bloody plots and trea- 
sons to have come from the combination of Jesuits, and from 
Parsons, the arch-athiest-in-chief, but as for himself he wished 
no longer to live and breathe; then the thoughts of his heart 
should be true and upright to his prince and country. Not- 
withstanding, this Watson was the very first wretch of all 
others that had his hand in treason against our king, and 
reaped his reward according to his wish. 

The other example is a Popish pamphlet, called the "Lay 
Catholic's Petition," offered to his majesty for toleration of 
Popery, protesting likewise their fidelity and unfeigned love to 
his majesty, offering to be bound life for life with good sureties 
for their loyal behavior ; happy men had we been to have 
taken their bonds, no doubt, for even at that instant, when 
this petition was exhibiting, the chief heads of those lay 
Catholics were then laboring with all their might to undermine 
the parliament house, to shake the pillars, and the whole frame 
of the kingdom to shivers. 

And which is more, there is newly dispersed an idle dis- 
course against an honorable personage of this land, by a papist 
that terms himself a Catholic divine, defending Garnet, the 
popish priest, saying there was nothing against him at his 
arraignment but only his acquaintance with the powder plot ; 
which, saith he, being revealed unto him in auricular confession 
he might not therefore by the law and right of Catholic 
religion disclose or make known. 

How like you these Catholics and this divinity ? If they 
grow so bold and desperate in a mighty settled state, how 
much more dangerous in the birth and infancy of yours ? 
Therefore, if you will live and prosper, harbor not this viperous 
brood in your bosom, which will eat out and consume the womb 
of their mother. 

The third sort to avoid are evil affected magistrates, a plague 
that God himself complains of by the prophet Isaiah — " O my 



•21 

people, they that lead thee, cause thee to error." Touching 
which, I am no way able to speak enough, for herein lies the 
very life of all. Let no partiality prefer them, unless they be 
worthy men ; if they be papists or popishly minded ; if profane 
atheists, contemning God and his word, turning religion to 
policy, unchaste, idle, ambitious, proud, and tyrannous, for- 
getting their allegiance to their king, and duty to their country, 
neglecting their commission of employment, advancing vile and 
vicious persons like themselves, and basely using those that 
are virtuous, godly, and well affected, then look for no bless- 
ing nor assistance of God, but misery, crosses, and confusions 
in all we take in hand ; but in men of knowledge, and religious 
education there is ever found true humility, temperance, and 
justice, joined with confidence, valor, and noble courage, such 
as was in Moses, the man of God, whose justice exceeded and 
courage was incomparable, and yet the meekest man that went 
upon the earth. Ten of such will chase an hundred. No ad- 
versities can make them dispair. Their provident care will 
ever be to repulse injuries, repress the insolent, to encourage 
the painful and best minded, to employ the soul to some honest 
labors, and to relieve with mercy and commiseration the most 
feeble, weakest, and meanest member. 

And as for the general sort that shall go to be planters, be 
they never so poor, so they be honest, and painful, the place 
will make them rich. All kind of artificers we must first 
employ are carpenters, shipwrights, masons, sawyers, brick- 
makers, bricklayers, plowmen, sowers, planters, fishermen, 
coopers, smiths, mettlemen, tailors, turners, and such like, to 
make and fit all necessaries for comfort and use of the colony ; 
and for such as are of no trades, if they be industrious, they 
shall have there employment enough, for there is a world of 
means to set many thousands to work, partly in such things as 
I mentioned before, and many other profitable works, for no 
man must live idle there. 

And by this employment we may happily stop the course 
of those irregular youths of no religion, that daily run from us 
to Rome and Rhemes for exhibition, which after a little ham- 
mering and training there by Parsons and his imps, they 
become pliable for the impression of any villainy whatsoever, 
as appears by their positions and practices at home and abroad. 



22 

And hereby our mariners shall not lie idle, nor our owners 
sell their ships for want of freight. You know how many good 
ships are daily sold, and made away to foreign nations. How 
many men for want of employment betake themselves to Tunis, 
Spain, and Florence, and to serve in courses not warrantable, 
which would better beseem our own walls and borders to be 
spread with such branches, that their native country, and not 
foreign princes, might reap their fruit, as being both exquisite 
navigators, and resolute men for service, as any the world 
affords. 

We intend to plant there, God willing, great plenty of sugar 
canes, for which the soil and climate is very apt and fit ; also 
linseed and rape seed to make oils, which, because the soil is 
strong and cheap, may there be sowed and the oil made to great 
benefit. We must plant also oranges, lemons, almonds, anise 
seeds, rice, cumin, cotton wool, caraway seed, ginger, 
madder, olives, oris, sumach, and many such like, which I 
cannot now name, all very good merchandise, and will there 
grow and increase as well as in Italy or any other part of the 
straits, whence we fetch them now. And in searching the land 
there is undoubted hope of finding cochineal, the plant of rich 
indigo, grainberries, beaver hides, pearls, and rich treasure, 
and the south sea, leading to China, with many other benefits 
which our daylight will discover. 

But of all other thing that God hath denied that country, 
there is want of sheep to make woolen cloth, and this want of 
cloth must always be supplied from England, whereby when 
the colony is thoroughly increased, and the Indians brought to 
our civility, as they will in a short time, it will cause a mighty 
vent of English clothes, a great benefit to our nation, and 
raising again of that ancient trade of clothing, so much decayed 
in England, whose lifting up again, methinks I see apparently 
approaching, by the good dispositions of our best sort of citizens, 
who willingly engage themeslves to undertake all new dis- 
coveries, as into this of the West, and by the Northwest to 
find out China. And unto the East, beyond the cape, into the 
Red sea and the Gulf of Persia, the Straits of Sunda, and 
among all the kings of India, for the good and honor of our 
nation, which calls to mind a blind prophesy in one of the 
sibyl, that before the end of the world there would be a dis- 



23 

covery of all nations, which shall come to be known and 
acquainted together as one neighbor with another, which since 
confusion of tongues have lain obscure and hid. 

But, however that be, yet these good minds and resolutions 
do serve for imitation to others, and do deserve assuredly the 
best encouragement, whereby we shall not still betake our- 
selves to small and little shipping, as we daily do begin, but 
shall rear again such merchant ships, both tall and stout, as 
no foreign sail that swims shall make them vail or stoop, 
whereby to make this little northern corner of the world to be 
in short time the richest storehouse and staple for merchandise 
in all Europe. 

The second thing to make this plantation is money, to be 
raised among the adventurers, wherein the sooner and more 
deeply men engage themselves, their charge will be the shorter 
and their gain the greater, as in this last point which I have to 
speak for the good of each particular adventurer, 1 will make 
it plain. 

First, you shall understand that his majesty has granted us 
an enlargement of our charter with many ample privileges, 
wherein we have knights and gentlemen of good place, named 
for the king's council of Virginia to govern us ; as also every 
planter and adventurer shall be inserted in the patent by 
name. This ground being laid, we purpose presently to make 
supply of men, women, and children (so many as we can), to 
make the plantation. We call those "planters " that go in their 
persons to dwell there, and those " adventurers " that adventure 
their money and go not in person, and both do make the men- 
bers of one colony. We do account twelve pounds ten shillings 
to be a single share adventured. Every ordinary man or 
woman, if they will go and dwell there, and every child above 
ten years that shall be carried thither to remain, shall be allowed 
for each of their persons a single share, as if they had advent- 
ured twelve pound ten shillings in money. Every extraordi- 
nary man, as divines, governors, ministers of state and justice, 
knights, gentlemen, physicians, and such as be men of worth 
for special services, are all to go as planters, and to execute 
their several functions in the colony, and are to be maintained 
at the common charge, and are to receive their dividend (as 
others do) at seven years' end, and they are to be agreed with 



24 

all before they go, and to be rated by the council according to 
the value of their persons, which shall be set down and 
registered in a book that it may always appear what people 
have gone to the plantation, at what time they went, and how 
their persons were valued ; and likewise, if any that go to he 
planters will lay down money to the treasurer, it shall be also 
registered and their shares enlarged accordingly, be it for more 
or less. 

All charges of settling and maintaining the plantation, 
and of making supplies, shall be borne in joint stock of the 
adventurers of seven years after the date of our new enlarge- 
ment, during which time there shall be no adventure, nor goods 
returned in private from thence, neither by master, mariner, 
planter, nor passenger, they shall be restrained by bond and 
search, that as we supply from hence to the planters at our 
charge all necessaries for food and apparel for fortifying and 
building of houses in a joint stock, so they are also to return 
from thence the increase and fruits of their labors for the use 
and advancement of the same joint stock, till the end of 
seven years, at which time we purpose (God willing) to make 
a division by commissioners appointed, of all the lands granted 
unto us by his majesty to every of the colony according to each 
man's several adventure agreeing with our register book, 
which we doubt not will be for every share of twelve pound 
ten shilling, five hundred acres at least. Now, if any think 
that we shall be tied to a continual charge of making new sup- 
plies for seven years, let them concieve thus much, that if we 
do it thoroughly at the first, by engaging ourselves at once in 
furnishing many men and other means, assuredly after the 
second year the returns from thence will be able with an over- 
plus to make supplies at large, so that our purses shall be 
freed, and the over-plus of stock will also grow to greatness, 
which stock is also (as the land) to be divided equally at seven 
years' end or sooner, or so often as the company shall think 
fit for the greatness of it to make a dividend. 

And as by this we shall be soon freed from charge and 
expense, so there grows a greater benefit to the planters (by 
bestowing their labors cheerfully), to make return of stock, for 
hereby the sooner they freeing us from disbursements, the 
more our shares and portions will be lessened in the dividend 



25 

of stock and land at seven years' end, whereby the less coming 
to us, the more will be to them, so that here is no discourage- 
ment any way if men will be capable to do themselves good. 
But if we will be so wise to linger, and to lie in the wind, to 
hear what news, to bring in our stock next year, and when we 
are behind for four or five adventures, we come dropping in 
with one or two and still run in arrearages for twice so much. 
(For I know many that would bring in stock amongst us, but 
they lie out to see what success first, and upon such like 
terms.) Is this gentlemanlike, or merchantlike ? In truth it is 
paltry, and such as would bring all to naught, if we should be 
so minded too, and 1 tell you true, our single, shares will make 
but a hungry plantation if we do not at the least double them 
now, and therefore I urge it the more, for that the very life of 
all is now in the beginning by making our supplies thoroughly, 
and thence will our gains arise both sooner and certain. Yet I 
grant that others may come in hereafter at any time, either to 
adventure his person or money, or both, but if there be spent 
one year of the seven before he comes in, or he that comes in 
with the first shall notwithstanding be a. year behind in sup- 
plies, they shall be both alike shortened in a seventh part of 
the dividend both of stock and lands, and if two years behind, 
then shortened two sevenths, and if but six months, yet a 
fourteenth part, for every man is registered according to the 
time his money or person began to adventure, or made supply, 
so that they which come late get not the start of those that 
bore the first brunt of the business, and this will neither ad- 
vantage him that withholds, or hinder him that is forward, for 
whatsoever falls from him that is slack, will be found of him 
that supplies in due time. But every man that comes in now 
in the first of these seven years, and shall afterwards upon all 
occasions perform in due time every twelve pound ten shillings 
so brought in shall be accounted an entire single share, and 
shall receive accordingly without abridgment, as it had been 
brought in when the enterprise first began and not otherwise. 
And as for the division of lands at seven years' end, which, 
some may object will be little worth and unequally divided, 
let them understand that no man shall have his lot entirely in 
one place, to be all of the best or all of the worst, but each 
man shall have proportionately to his adventures, in three or 



26 

four distinct differences, that may be made in the goodness or 
badness of the grounds by commissioners equally chosen by 
the adventurers here and the planters there ; and as for the 
value and little worth now of those grounds in Virginia, we 
know that in England, within these thirty or forty years, the 
yearly rent of those grounds, in many places, was not worth 
five shillings, that now do go for forty or more. 

And howsoever those grounds in Virginia are now but little 
worth indeed, yet time and means will make them better, con- 
sidering how they pass our grounds in England, both in regard 
of the soil and climate, fit for many precious uses ; and also in 
how many several places we purpose to plant our colony, and 
not to bestow our costs upon Jamestown only, and upon the 
grounds lying thereabout, and let all the rest lie barren. For, 
seeing his majesty hath granted to our colony as much circuit 
of ground as all England almost, we purpose, God willing, if 
we may be supplied with sufficient means, to settle out of hand 
six or seven plantations more, all upon or near our main river, 
as capital towns, twenty miles each from other, and every 
plantation shall manure and husband the lands and grounds 
lying near unto it and allotted for the circuit thereof, and shall 
all endeavor for a joint stock, and shall be still supplied from 
hence with more money and provisions, and against any public 
injury shall be ready to unite and join themselves together. 
And by this means we shall come to have our dividend in lands 
of worth and well manured, which will be either bought or 
rented of us at a good value by the planters or by such as 
intend hereafter to inhabit there, as also by these several 
plantations, which happily one place better fitting than another, 
we shall bring forth more several sorts of merchandise, and be 
also better fortified ; and besides, the planters will be in such 
hope to have their own shares and habitations in those lands, 
which they have so husbanded, that it will cause contending 
and emulation among them, which shall bring forth the most 
profitable and beneficial fruits for the joint stock. 

Whereby, undoubtedly, we shall be soon freed from further 
expense, our gains will grow, and our stock increase, we shall 
fell our timber, saw our plank, and quickly make good shipping 
there, and shall return from thence with good employment, an 
hundred sail of good ships yearly, all which good, and much 



27 

more, we shall withstand and bring ourselves into a labyrinth, 
if we pinch and spare our purses now. Therefore, not to hold 
you longer with many words (being near exchange time, as I 
take it), remember what I have said in proving my proposition, 
and take my conclusion in a word or two. 

Seeing our provocations are so many, our cause and title 
good, avaunt all idle oracles that seek to bar us. The wisdom 
of the wisest saith in these cases, "Whatsoever thy hand 
fmdeth to do, do it with all thy might." 

Our forefathers, not looking out in time, lost the prime and 
fairest proffer of the greatest wealth in the world, and we tax 
their omission for it, yet now it falls out that we, their children, 
are tried in the like, there being yet an excellent portion left, 
and by divine providence offered to our choice, which, seeing 
we have arms to embrace, let it not be accounted hereafter as 
"a prize in the hands of fools, that have no heart to use it." 

The honor of our nation is now very great by his majesty's 
means, and we his subjects cannot enlarge and uphold it by 
gazing on and talking what hath been done, but by doing that 
good which may be commended hereafter. If we sit still and 
let slip occasions, we shall gather rust, and do unfeather our 
own wings, committing the folly of the wise Romans herein, 
that in time of their glory, flowing with the conquests and 
spoils of the world, and having gotten the goddess Victoria to 
Rome, they clipped her wings and set her up among the gods, 
that she might take her flight no more, as she had formerly 
done from the Grecians and others, and so effeminating their 
valor with idleness and security, it brought confusion and ruin 
to their state. 

Let not such a prize of hopeful events, so lately purchased 
by the hazard of our valient men in the deep seas of foreign 
dangers, now perish in the haven by our neglect. The lives 
of our friends already planted, and of those noble knights and 
gentlemen that intend to go shortly, must lie at our mercy 
to be relieved and supplied by us or to be made a prey unto 
others, though we fear not the subjects of any prince in amity 
that they will offer wrong unto us. And howsoever we hear 
tales and rumors of this and that, yet be not dismayed, for I 
tell you, if we find that any miscreants have wronged or go 
about to hurt our few hundreds there, we shall be ready to 



3477-250 

lot 29 



28 

right it again with many thousands, like the giant Anteus, 
whose often foils renewed his strength the more. 

And consider well that great work of freeing the poor 
Indians from the devourer, a compassion that every good man, 
but passing by, would show unto a beast. Their children, 
when they come to be saved, will bless the day when first 
their fathers saw your faces. 

If those undaunted English and Scotch captains, that so 
often ventured their lives and spilt their blood to reconquer 
Palestine from the Turks and Saracens, had seen the gap so 
open in their days, and the way leading to so many goodly 
purchases, certainly it had not now been left for us to do. 
How strange a thing is this, that all the states in Europe have 
been asleep so long! That for an hundred years and more 
the wealth and riches of the East and West should run no 
other current but into one coffer, so long till the running over 
spread itself abundantly among a factious crew of new-created 
friars, and that to no more special end than with instigating 
bloody plots to pierce the heart of a christian state and true 
religion. 

It is long since I read in a little treatise made by Frith, an 
English martyr, an excellent foretelling touching the happiness 
of these northern islands, and of great wonders that should be 
wrought by Scots and English before the coming of Christ, 
but 1 have almost forgotten and cannot readily call it to mind 
as I would, and therefore I omit it now, protesting unto you, 
it would be my grief and sorrow to be exempted from the 
company of so many honorable-minded men, and from this 
enterprise, tending to so many good ends, and than which, I 
truly think this day, there is not a work of more excellent 
hope under the sun, and far excelling, all circumstances 
weighed, those noble deeds of Alexander, Hercules, and those 
heathen monarchs, for which they were deemed gods among 
their posterity. 

And so 1 leave it to your consideration, with a memorable 
note of Thomas Lord Howard, Earl of Surrey, when King 
Henry the Eighth, with his nobles at Dover, took shipping at 
Turin or Turney, and bidding the said earl farewell, whom 
he made governor in his absence. The story says the noble- 
man wept and took his leave with tears, an admirable good 
nature in a valient mind, grieving to be left behind his prince 
and peers in such ah honorable service. 



HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN TROOPS DURING THE 
LATE WAR, under the Command of COLONELS 
FENTON and CAMPBELL, giving an account of the crossing of 
the lake from Erie to Long Point ; also the crossing of Niagara 
by the troops under Generals Gaines, Brown, Scott, and 
Porter. The taking of Fort Erie, the Battle of Chippewa, 
the imprisonment of Colonel Bull, Major Galloway, and the 
author (then a captain) and their treatment ; together with an 
historical account of the Canadas, by SAMUEL WHITE, of 
Adams County, Pennsylvania. Baltimore : Published by the 
Author. B. Edes, Printer ; 1830. 

Three hundred signed and numbered copies only of this 
scarce little book on the WAR OF 18 12, printed from type, 
1896. A copy will be mailed postpaid on receipt of price, 
i^i.oo, by the publisher, George P. Humphrey, 25 Exchange 
Street, Rochester, N. Y. 












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